Portable collapsible tank



Oct. 14, 1958 c. T. LEWIS PORTABLE COLLAPSIBLE TANK 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 5, 1957 INVENTOR. Charles 7? Lew: s.

'BY 7 MM ATTORNEYS.

Oct. 14, 1958 c. T. LEWIS 2,855,966

PORTABLE COLLAPSIBLE TANK Filed June 5, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Charles 7? Lewis.

MM MM Oct. 14, 1958 w c. T. LEWIS 2,855,966.

PORTABLE COLLAPSIBLE TANK Filed June 5, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I N VEN TOR. Char/es 7". L ewia.

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A 7' TORNEYS.

United States Patent PORTABLE COLLAPSIBLE TANK Charles T. Lewis, Oklahoma City, Okla. Application June 5, 1957, Serial No. 663,661

7 Claims. (Cl. 150.5)

This invention relates to portable collapsible tanks, and more particularly to a novel portable collapsible liquid containing structure that is quickly erected for temporary storage of large volumes of liquid. I

Large volumes of liquid are frequently required in drilling or in sand fracture treatment of oil wells and the like when they are in the completion stage wherein a large volume of water mixed with sand or the like is pumped under high hydraulic pressure to fracture the oil sand and increase production. This requires a temporary storage of a volume which will vary with the amount of treatment and may be from a few thousand gallons to well over one hundred thousand gallons. The transportation of round steel storage tanks and the expense of erection thereof has presented a very diificult problem, particularly as the storage may be only used for a few hours at each location. The objects of the present invention are to provide a novel, economical, safe temporary storage of a relatively large volume of water or other liquids; to provide such a liquid storage structure that is portable and collapsible with t a self-contained frame support for the flexible portions of the tank; to provide such a structure with a center post support and flexible radial members from the center post to the sides of the tank to distribute the stress imparted by the volume of liquid contained in the tank; to provide such a structure with a ground cover sheet extending slightly beyond the side walls of the tank and forming a load bearing member between the ground and tank bottom and also serving as a gauge for setting up the outside perimeter weight distribution wall of the structure; to provide the center post with foldable foot extensions wherein the flexiblewaterproof fabric of the tank may be folded thereover and the foot extensions hinged upwardly to form a container for the flexible tank structure; to provide such a structure with means whereby the entire tank unit can be lifted and placed on a truck or other means of transportation to another location; and to provide such a portable collapsible liquid storage tank that is easily and quickly erected for use and then knocked down for transportation to another location and that is economical to repair and maintain.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the present invention, I have provided improved details of such structure, the preferred form of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a portable collapsible storage tank embodying the features of the present invention in erected condition.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the center post structure.

Fig. 3 is a disassembled perspective view of portions of the tank structure in disassembled spaced relation.

. Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view through the tank structure in erected condition, taken on the line 4-4, Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the tank structure in collapsed position for transportation.

I 2,855,966 Patented Oct. 14, 1958 ICC Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view through the upper 1 part of the tank side walland the connections of the outer supporting wall and radial members, taken on the line 6--6, Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectional view through the connection of the perimeter weight supporting wall, taken on the line 77, Fig. 1. I

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

1 designates a portable collapsible liquidstorage tank generally consisting of a center post structure 2, a ground cover sheet 3, a flexible tank wall member 4, a perimeter weight distribution wall unit 5, and radial stress distribution members 6.

The center post structure 2 preferably includes a base or foot plate 7 with an upright tubular post 8 suitably secured to the plate 7 substantially centrally thereof as by welding at 9 and extending upwardly therefrom. The post is reinforced by a plurality of brace rods 10 each of which has upper ends suitably secured to the post as at 11 and the lower ends secured to the base plate 7 in spaced relation to the bottom of the post as at 12. A substantial portion of the brace rods 10 is enclosed by the housing 13 consisting of a plurality of metal sheets that are inclined upwardly and inwardly to form substantially the frustum of a pyramid and provide a smooth support for the adjacent walls of the tank member 4 as later described. Side panels or foot extensions 14 are arranged at each edge of.the base plate 7 and hingedly connected thereto by suitable hinge members 15 whereby the side panels 14 may be hinged upwardly to form sides of a boxlike structure for containing the components of the tank structure. Each of the side edges 16 of the panels 14 are provided with cooperating tubular members 17 which align when the panels are in upright position whereby the tubular members are adapted to receive pins 18 to hold the panels in upright position during transportation of the unit. A support or ring member 19 is arranged concentrically of the post 8'and is mounted thereon by spoke-like members 20 whereby the ring member 19 is spaced from the base plate 7 slightlymore than the heighth of the walls of the tank as later described. Spaced above the ring member 19 is a second ring or support member 21 also mounted on the upper portion of the post 8 by spokelike members 22. A U-shapedv rod or the like is secured to the upper end of the post 8 and extends upwardly therefrom to provide a clevis 23 for attachment of a lifting member for lifting the structure onto a truck or other transporting member.

When the tank is being erected, the entire center post assembly 2 is preferably set on suitable ground and the panels 14 hinged outwardly to lay fiat on the ground. A ground cover sheet 25 is'made of suitable flexible material such as fabric treated with a flexible waterproofing material such as synthetic rubber or resin whereby the fabric is substantially waterproof; for example, the fabric may be :of nylon covered with a neoprene to make a strong, durable waterproof fabric. The ground cover sheet 25 has an opening 26 at the center thereof whereby it can be sleeved over the center post and lie on the base plate 7, and panels14-with the inner edges at the opening 26 lying against the lower ends of the housing 13. The outer periphery 27 of the cover sheet extends outwardly from ,thecenter post on the ground and substantially corresponds in shape to the peripheral shape of the tank and is of slightly larger area. In the illustrated structure, the tank and cover cloth are shown as being circular; however, it can be made oval or other desired shapes. Also, the entire tank could have one or more of the center post structures if the length were large relative to the width as in a long oval structure.

The tank wall member 4, as is illustrated in Fig. 3, is formed of a suitable flexible waterproof material such a a qa sdfab is 9! .sxa aale ,ay se t d t a synthetic rubber or resin such as neoprene. The tank wall assembly includes a tubular portion 28 slightly larger in diameter than the rings 1 9 and 21 whereby it maybe sleeved over the upper end of the post structure. The upper-end of the tubular portion 28 is folded over itself and secured as at 29 to form a loop in which is located a suitable metal ring or cable 31, the loop 30 having spacedopenings 32 therein exposing the ring 31 with connectors such as S-hooks or the like 33 beingconnected to the ring at theopenings and adapted to be connected tothe ring member 19 to support the tubular member 28 come ,post structure. The upper portion of the tubular member 28 i s-illustrated as being cylindrical with the lower portion 34 being of a cross section to -fit over the housing 13 with the inner surfaces of the walls of the portion-34 lying against the outer surface of the housing 1 3. The lower end of the tubular portion 34 is suitablyconnectedas at35 to the inner edges of a bottom wall 36 which extends outwardly therefrom and terminates in an outer peripheral wall portion 37 adapted to extend upwardly from the outer portion of the bottom wall 36. The upper edge of the peripheral side wall 37 is fOldBdfOVBl' and secured as at 38 to form a loop 39 enclosing a cable 40 which is preferably in the form of a flexible wire rope, the loop39 having openings 41 spaced aroundthe upperperiphery of theside wall and connectors such as S -hooks or the like extend therethrough and are secured to saidrcable 40. The connectors 42 are preferably equally spaced around the tank and suitably attachedto radial flexible members such as wire rope 43, the-other endsof which have connectors 44 such as S- hooks attached thereto and adapted to be secured to the ring 21.

The tank wall structure has a drain connection 45.

together to form a water-tight structure and is such that k if abraded or punctured,-it:may bepatched or otherwise suitably repaired for continued use.

The peripheral weight-supporting unit consists of a wire mesh'of suitable-length to extend around the periphery'of the tank-and haveaupporting 'engagementwith the side wall 37 thereof. The ends of the mesh-are provided with connectors 47 which, in the illustrated structure, each consist of :angle members 48 with plates'49 fastened to flanges 50 toclarnp the endsof the mesh 51 therebetween as illustratedin Fig 7. The other flanges 52 of the angles 48 have aligned eyes or tubular members 53 secured 'thereto for receiving a connecting pin or bolt 54. The mesh 51is of suitable type whereby the upper edge thereof extends'above the wall 37 of the fabric tank portion 4 and S-hooks 55 or other suitable connectors are secured'to the-cable 40 in the openings 41 and to the upper portion of the-mesh 51, as illustrated in Fig. 1, to aid in supporting the wall of the fabric tank. An arm 56 is 'removably supported on thepost 8 and extends outwardly therefrom 'to provide a support for a hose 57 or the like mad for filling of the tank.

lnassembling a tank structurelconstructed as described, thecenter post is arranged on the ground, and the panels 14 swung outwardly from the -base'plate 7. The cover member25 is then placed=overthe center post andlaid flat. The fabric tank member 4 is then arranged relative to the center post and the tubular portions 28 and 34 sleeved over said post and the connectors 33 connected to the ring 19. The cables 43 may thenbe connected either to the ring 21 or to the-cable 40 and the fabric tank member folded inwardly around the hous i n g13 on the baseplate W The cover member 25 is'then'folded inwardly and the side panels 14 turned upwardly and secured together. The mesh wall support unit 5 is then rolled for convenience of transportation. The mesh member 5 may be placed on a truck and the post with the fabric portions and other components of the structure lifted into the truck for transportation to the site where a temporary storage of liquid is desired. At the site, in erecting the tank structure the center post and the portions contained therein are lifted from the truck to the ground at the location for the tank. The pins 18 are removed and the side panels 14 laid flat. The cover sheet 25 is then rolled outwardly and laid flat on the ground. The mesh member 5 is then moved and unrolled whereby it may be arranged on edge with the lower portion spaced slightly inwardly from the outer edges 27 of the cover sheet 25. The connectors 47 are then brought together and the pin 54 inserted to hold zthe mesh in position. The fabric member 4 is then pulled outwardly, the drain arranged whereby it will extend between the mesh and the side walls 37 raised until the S-hooks are connected, to the upper portion \of the mesh and then the cables 43 and the connectors thereon are secured to the cable 40 and the ring 21. The arm 56.is then attachcdto the post,8 .ad thehose 57 arranged on-the arm and the tank is ready for filling.

After the tank is emptied and has served .its function at that location, the cables 43 are disconnected, .the 8- hooks 55 disconnected from the mesh, and then the pin 54 is removed whereby the meshcanbe taken away and rolled for further transportation. is then folded thereover. The sidepanels 14 are then turned upwardly and secured together and the entire structure is ready for transportation to tanothers'ite of use.

It is to be understood that while I :have illustrated and described'one form of my invention, 'it'is'not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement .of parts herein described and shown except insofar as .suchLIimitations are included in the claims.

What I claim and desire to securebyLetters Ratent is:

l. A portable collapsible tank comprising, .a -flat:base member having an upright post .thereon, .aflexible waterproof tank member having anupright tubular portion sleeved over the .post and a bottom portion extending outwardly from the lower end .of the tubular member, said bottom portion terminatingin .a flexible peripheral wall extending upwardly therefrom, :means connecting the upper end of the tubular portion of theitank member and post tosupport said tubular portion,an.elongate mesh memberseparatefrom saideflat base member and having a width greater than the heighth of the .wall.of the tank member and a length substantially corresponding .to the peripheral length of the peripheral wall of the tank member,'means connecting the ends of the .meshmember together whereby it will rest on edge in outwardly spaced relation to said flat base member and define a shape sub stantially corresponding to the outer shape of said flexible peripheral wall of said tank .member,.means connecting the upper edges of the peripheral wall of the tank member and-the mesh member whereby the .tank peripheral wall vlies against said mesh member, and a plurality of flexible members connected to thepost adjacent the upper end of the tubular member and to the upper end ofthe peripheral wall of the tank member to act in tension fordistributing the forces acting on-the tank member.

2. A portable collapsible tank comprising, a flat base member, an upright post on said base member, a ground cover sheet of flexible material having a central opening sleeved over the post whereby said cover sheet overlies the base member and extends outwardly therefrom, a flexible waterproof fabric tank memberhaving an upright tubular portion sleeved over the post and a bottom portion extending outwardly from the lower'end of the tubular member in overlyingrelation to the cover sheet, -said bot- The fabric portion .4

upwardly .therefrom, means connecting the uppenend of the tubular portion ,of the tank member and post tosupport said tubular portion, an elongate peripheral wall support member having a width greater than the heighth of the wall of the tank member and a length substantially corresponding to the peripheral length of the peripheral wall of the tank member whereby it will rest on edge and define a shape substantially corresponding to the outer shape of said tank member, means connecting the upper edges of the peripheral wall ofv the tank member and the peripheral wall support member whereby the tank peripheral wall lies against said peripheral wall support member, and means connected to the post adjacent the upper end of the tubular member and to the upper end of the peripheral wall of the tank member to act in tension for distributing the forces acting onthe tank member.

3. A portable collapsible tank comprising, a flat base member, an upright post on said base member substantially equally spaced from the side edges of said base member, a ground cover sheet of flexible waterproof fabric having a-central opening sleeved over the post whereby said cover sheet overlies the base member and extends outwardly therefrom, a flexible waterproof fabric tank member having an upright tubular portion sleeved over the post and a bottom portion extending outwardly from the lower end of the tubular portion in overlying relation to the cover sheet, said bottom portion terminating in a peripheral wall extending upwardly therefrom, means connecting the upper end of the tubular portion and post to support said tubular portion, an elongate mesh member-having a width greater than the heighth of the peripheral wall of the tank member and a length substantially corresponding to the peripheral length of said peripheral wall of the tank member, means connecting the ends of the mesh member together whereby said mesh member rests on edge on the cover sheet in inwardly spaced relation to the outer edges thereof and defines a shape substantially corresponding to the peripheral shape of the tank member, means connecting the upper edges of the peripheral wall of the tank member and the mesh member whereby the peripheral wall of the tank member lies against said mesh member, and a plurality of flexible members connected to the post adjacent the upper end of the tubular member and to the upper end of the peripheral wall of the tank member to act in tension for distributing the forces acting on the tank member.

4. A portable collapsible tank comprising, a flat base member, an upright post on said base member substantially equally spaced from the,side edges of said base member, flat panels hinged on the edges of the base member and extending outwardly therefrom, said panels being swingable to upright position relative to the base member, means for securing said panels in upright posi tion, a flexible waterproof fabric tank member having an upright tubular portion sleeved over the post and a bottom portion extending outwardly from the lower end of the tubular portion in overlying relation to the base member and said flat panels thereon, said bottom portion terminating in a peripheral wall extending upwardly therefrom, means connecting the upper end of the tubular portion and post to support said tubular portion, an elongate mesh member having a width greater than the heighth of the peripheral wall of the tank member and a length substantially corresponding to the peripheral length of said peripheral wall of the tank member whereby said mesh member rests on edge and defines a shape substantially corresponding to the peripheral shape of the tank peripheral wall. of the tankmember to actin tension for.

distributing the forces acting on the tank member.

5.- A portablecollapsible tank comprising, a fl 'b whereby the periphery thereof has dimensions larger than the tank, a flexible waterproof fabric tank member having an upright tubular portion sleeved over the post and a bottom portion extending outwardlyfrom the lowerend of the tubular portion in overlying relation to the cover sheet, said bottom portion terminating in aperipheral w-all extending upwardly therefrom, means connect? ing the upper end of the tubular portion and post to support said tubular portion, an elongate mesh member having a width greater than the heighth of the peripheral wall of the tank member and a length substantially corresponding to the peripheral length of said peripheral wall of the tank member, means connecting the ends of the mesh member together whereby said mesh member rests on edge on the cover sheet in inwardly spaced relation to the outer edges thereof and defines a shape substantially corresponding to the peripheral shape of the tank member, means connecting the upper edges of the pe- Y ripheral wall of the tank member andthe mesh member whereby the peripheral wall of the tank member lies against said mesh member, and a plurality of flexible cables connected to the post adjacent the upper end of the tubular member and to the upper end of the peripheral wall of the tank member to act in tension for distributing the forces acting on the tank member, I

6. A portable collapsible tank comprising, a flat base member, an upright post on said base member substan tially equally spaced fro-m the side edges of said base member, a ground cover sheet of flexible waterproof fabric having a central opening sleeved over the post whereby said cover sheet overlies the base member and extends outwardly therefrom, said cover sheet being of a size whereby the periphery thereof has dimensions larger than the tank, a flexible waterproof fabric tank member having an upright tubular portion sleeved over the post and a bottom portion extending outwardly from the lower end of the tubular portion in overlying relation to the cover sheet, said bottom portion terminating in a peripheral wall extending upwardly therefrom, a ring member secured to the upper end of the tubular portion of the tank member, means connecting the upper end of the tubular portion and said ring member to support said tubular portion, an elongate mesh member having a width greater than the heighth of the peripheral wall of the tank member and a length substantially corresponding to the peripheral length of said peripheral wall of the tank member, means connecting the ends of the mesh member together whereby said mesh member rests on edge on the cover sheet in inwardly spaced relation to the outer edges thereof and defines a shape substantially corresponding to the peripheral shape of the tank member, the upper edges of the peripheral wall of the tank member being folded over to define a peripheral loop, a flexible cable sleeved in said loop on the peripheral wall of the tank member, means connecting the cable in the upper edges of the peripheral wall of the tank member and the mesh member whereby the peripheral wall of the tank member lies against said mesh member, and a plurality of flexible cables connected to the post adjacent the upper end of the tubular member and to the upper end of the peripheral wall of the tank member to act in tensibn for distributing" the areas acting oh the tank" member? 7 7. A'f portable collapsible tankeoniprising; a fiatbase member, an upright post'on said base member substantially equally spaced frorn the side edges of said base member, flat panels hingedonfih'e' e'dg'e's OftHe baSEmenF her and extending outwardly therefrom, said panels" being swingable to uprightpositionrelative 'to th' eilbase'rne iiber; means for" securing said panels: in uprightj'positionka ground cover sheet of flexible waterproof fa'b'rii: ha ing a central opening sleeved overthe post whereby said cover sheet overlies the base member'and extends outwardly therefrom, said cover sheet beingofasize whereby the periphery thereof has"dimensions larger than the tank, a flexible waterproof fabric tank ni ember 'ha iiig an upright tubular portion sleeyediover the post and a bott'orn portion extending outwardly from" the loyv'er end of the tubular portion in overlying relation to" the cover sheet, said bottom portion terminating in a peripheral wall extending upwardly therefrom, a ring member se owed to the upper end of the tubular portion" of theta'n'k member, means connecting-the u per end" of the" tubular portion and said ring member tdsuripdrt said tubular portion, an elongate mesh memberhaving a'width greater than the heighth of the peripheral wall of the tank member and a length substantially corresponding to the peripheral length of said peripheral Wall of the tank memverg-nteaa'sesiineetia'gi zfie e'nd's of the r'nfih meat-bans g ther viili ci'ebfs'aid ifieslfrfienib'ei' rst'sion'edg oif coyfershe't'in ny ardlys pa ed relation to' the out r edg s thereof l and defines a shape substantially" co'r'r'espbadisg: trithe periphera shape of thetank member; the upper e'dg'es o'lf' the peripheral'wall of-the tank member being folded o' r to definea peripheralloop, a flexible cable slee'vdin s'aid was on} the peripheral wallof the *tank member-I; me'ans' connectingthe cable in the] upper edges of the pei'iphe'ral-Wall'of the tank member andthe meshmerriber whereby theperipheral wallofthefta'nlc member lies against said mesh member, a plurality of' fleiribl' cables connected to' the post adjacent the upper end'of the t'ubulaime'mber and to'the c'able inthe upper 'end of theperipheral wall'ofthe tank-member to act in I for filling of th'e'tank'; I

Reference-s otted m me file of this patent UNIV-TED STATES PATENTS 1,580,194 G155; Apr. 13', 1925 2,378,159 Royer June 12, 1945 2,378,161 Sawyer June" 12, 1945 

